Apparatus for a table ball game

ABSTRACT

A portable apparatus for table ball game, comprises a playing surface, at least two goal posts, multiple positioning holes and striking holes. The playing surface is apportioned between a first and a second play zone with a first goal post designated to the first play zone and a second goal post designated to the second play zone. The positioning holes are configured in rows along the first play zone and the second play zone, where each of the positioning holes is configured to receive and hold a ball. The striking holes are positioned adjacent to each of the positioning holes, where each striking hole is configured to house a ball striking assembly, and the ball striking assembly is adapted to strike the ball from the positioning hole towards one of the first and second goal post.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to the Patent application no. PA 2015 00302 filed in the Denmark Patent and Trademark Office on May 22, 2015, entitled “Apparatus for a Table Ball Game”. The specification of the above referenced patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

As known in the art, there are plenty of apparatuses for playing games indoors, including those of miniaturized or prototyped models of on-field games, such as, football, table tennis, cricket, etc. These table based games are generally based on the rules of the field game they are related to. Such miniaturized or table based games are controlled by handheld mechanical components which simulate the action of the players on the field. For example, mechanical controls can be outwardly positioned from the playing area in some gaming apparatuses and can be individually controlled by the hands of the user. In case of a table football game, the ball is struck forward by manually actuating the handles at sides, the handles are connected to horizontal rods with player like structures or figurines attached along the length of the rod. Generally, the ball is substantially struck in a straight direction and the ball does not stop for a spot strike, for example, a free kick in football. Therefore a mechanism is required to strike the ball in the desired direction of the user, and the ball to be statically positioned for a spot strike. Further, the conventional gaming apparatuses are not easily portable and they cannot be positioned on different planar surfaces. In addition, existing table based game apparatus typically comprises a flat playing surface and a non-planar play surface may offer additional challenges, thereby making the game more interesting.

As an example, if we compare a prior art patent, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,701 by Hashimoto, this invention concerns an amusement device characterized by its sturdy construction, simplicity of use and variety of amusement features simulating the action of a basketball game. Extending upwardly from the housing is a wall dividing the game into two separate playing areas. Basket goals are mounted on opposite sides of the wall and a transparent dome is secured to the housing so as to define two distinct playing areas for use by opposing players, while furthermore confining each of the two basketballs to its playing area. At each end of the housing are located corresponding supporting surfaces or depressions within which the ball within each playing area eventually is deposited and operating and actuating members associated with each of the depressions for propelling the ball towards its corresponding basket goal. Here, according to the overall construction the “basket goals” or goal posts are mounted on opposite sides of the wall, but in the present invention, the goal posts are positioned at the opposing ends of the playing surface which is a primary difference in construction.

Further, according to the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,701, associated with each of the basket goals is a system for automatically counting the number of times the ball successfully passes through the goal and displaying the number of successful baskets in such a manner that the players are advised of their scores. Moreover, a timing mechanism may be employed permitting a single player to compete by way of determining the number of successful baskets scored within a prescribed period of time. Here, the present invention differs from the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,701, where the two goal posts generally are positioned at opposing ends of the playing surface; in throwing the ball onto the playing surface by a first player representing the first play zone; and in that the first player striking the ball towards the goal post of a second player representing the second playzone.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a portable apparatus for playing a table based ball game, the game involving striking a ball from a static position to any direction desired by the user, and the apparatus can be placed on any planar surface, for example, a table for playing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The portable apparatus for a table based ball game disclosed herein addresses the above mentioned need and the apparatus allows to strike a ball from a static position to any direction desired by the user, and the apparatus can be portable so that it can be placed on a planar surface to start playing the game. The portable apparatus comprises a generally rectangular playing surface, at least two goal posts, multiple positioning holes, and multiple striking holes. The playing surface is apportioned between a first play zone and a second play zone. The two goal posts are generally positioned at opposing ends of the playing surface, where a first goal post is designated to the first play zone and a second goal post is designated to the second play zone. The positioning holes are configured in rows along the first play zone and the second play zone, where each of the positioning holes is configured to receive and hold a ball. The striking holes are positioned rearwardly to each of the positioning holes opposite the designated goal post, where each striking hole is configured to house a ball striking assembly, and the ball striking assembly strikes the ball received and being held in the positioning hole.

In an embodiment, the playing surface is a flat surface or a corrugated surface. In an embodiment, the ball striking assembly comprises a pull rod, a striking pole, and a spring member. The pull rod extends outwardly from each of the striking holes, and the pull rod is configured to be actuated by a player playing for the first play zone or the second play zone. The striking pole is in communication with the pull rod and is configured to receive the actuation force from the pull rod, where a distal end of the striking pole is configured to be pushed through the positioning holes and strike the ball. The spring member is operably connected between the pull rod and the striking pole, where the spring member is configured to reposition the striking pole below a surface of each of the positioning holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates top perspective view of the portable apparatus.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a mechanism of the working of the ball striking assembly.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a method of striking the ball using the portable apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates top perspective view of the portable apparatus 100. The portable apparatus 100 comprises a generally rectangular playing surface 101, at least two goal posts 104 and 105, multiple positioning holes 106, and multiple striking holes 108. The playing surface 101 is apportioned between a first play zone 102 and a second play zone 103. The two goal posts 104 and 105 are generally positioned at opposing ends 101 a and 101 b of the playing surface 101, wherein a first goal post 104 is designated to the first play zone 102 and a second goal post 105 is designated to the second play zone 103. The positioning holes 106 are configured in rows along the first play zone 102 and the second play zone 103, where each of the positioning holes 106 is configured to receive and hold a ball 107. The striking holes 108 are positioned rearwardly to each of the positioning holes 106 opposite the designated goal post, for example, the first goal post 104 or the second goal post 105, where each striking hole 108 is configured to house a ball striking assembly 109, and the ball striking assembly 109 strikes the ball 107 received and being held in the positioning hole 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the striking holes 108 are positioned on the wave protrusions defined on the playing surface 101.

In an embodiment, the playing surface 101 is a flat surface, or a corrugated surface as shown in FIG. 1. The playing surface 101 is either a flat sheet or a corrugated plate, for example, a plate with a wavy pattern, mounted above a table on various poles to support and lift the wave plate to a higher position to play. The number of positioning holes 106 is not limited to a certain value, there can be any number of positioning holes 106. Equal number of positioning holes 106 should be distributed between the first play zone 102 and the second play zone 103 of the playing surface 101. In an embodiment, the striking holes 108 are generally positioned adjacent to the positioning holes 106, for example, the striking holes are position behind each of the positioning holes 106 and facing the opponent's goal post. In other words, for each corresponding positioning hole 106, a striking hole 108 is constructed adjacent to the positioning hole 106, for example, generally behind each positioning hole 106 so that the player can activate the ball striking assembly 109 adjacent to the positioning hole 106 which holds the ball 107 in place. In a corrugated or wavy playing surface 101, the striking holes 108 are positioned linearly along crested portion of the playing surface 101.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ball 107 is thrown onto the playing surface 101 and the ball 107 lands on one of the positioning holes 106 present in either the first play zone 102 or the second play zone 103. The wave patterned plate generally comprises “V” shaped wave pattern, so that the ball 107 will position to the positioning hole 106 naturally while landing, and since the positioning hole 106 is smaller than the diameter of the ball 107, the ball 107 cannot fall through the positioning hole 106. According to the landing position of the ball 107 in the first play zone 102 or the second play zone 103, the player belonging the respective zone is allowed to strike first. One of the player will therefore strike the ball 107 using the ball striking assembly 109, towards the goal post of the opponent. If the ball 107 does not strike the opponent's goal post then the opponent is allowed to strike the ball 107. The opponent can either strike the ball 107 from the positioning hole 106 where the ball 107 has already landed, or throw the ball 107 onto the playing surface 101 so that the ball 107 will land on another positioning hole 106.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a mechanism of the working of the ball striking assembly 109. In an embodiment, the ball striking assembly 109 comprises a pull rod 110, a striking pole 111, and a spring member 112. The pull rod 110 extends outwardly from each of the striking holes 108, and the pull rod 110 is configured to be pulled by a player representing the first play zone 102 and the second play zone 103. The pull rod 110 is pulled upwardly through a cylinder 114 and generates an actuation force within the cylinder 114. A lever arrangement 115 connecting the cylinder 114 to the striking pole 111 transfers the actuation force to a push force on the striking pole 111. Therefore, the striking pole 111, for example, a rocker arm, is in communication with the pull rod 110 and is configured to receive the actuation force from the pull rod 110, where a distal end 111 a of the striking pole 111 is configured to be pushed through the positioning holes 106 and strike the ball 107. Further, a guide plate 116 prevents or limits the extended upward movement of the striking pole 111. In an embodiment, the entire ball striking assembly 109 is positioned on a bottom plate 117.

The spring member 112 is operably connected between the pull rod 110 and the striking pole 111, where the spring member 112 is configured to reposition the striking pole 111 below a surface of each of the positioning holes 106. In an embodiment, the ball striking assembly 109 further comprises a stopper member 113 operably connected to the striking pole 111, where the stopper member 113 is configured to limit the upward movement of the striking pole 111. In an embodiment, the striking pole 111 is configured to strike the ball 107 from an under surface 107 a of the ball 107 received and being held in each of the positioning holes 106 which facilitate the striking pole 111 to strike the ball 107.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a method of striking the ball 107 using the portable apparatus 100. The method comprises the following steps of: providing A portable apparatus comprising a playing surface, at least two goal posts, multiple positioning holes, and multiple striking holes, as shown in step 301; throwing the ball onto the playing surface by a first player designated to the first play zone, as shown in step 302. Receiving and holding the ball in one of the positioning holes in one of the first play zone and second play zone, as shown in step 303. Striking the ball by the first player from the positioning hole towards the goal post at a second play zone represented by a second player, as shown in step 304.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A portable apparatus for a table ball game comprising: a generally rectangular playing surface comprising a first play zone and a second play zone; at least two goal posts generally positioned at opposing ends of the playing surface, wherein a first goal post is designated to the first play zone and a second goal post is designated to the second play zone; a plurality of positioning holes configured in rows along the first play zone and the second play zone, each of the positioning holes configured to receive and hold a ball; and a plurality of striking holes positioned adjacent to each of the positioning holes, wherein each striking hole is configured to house a ball striking assembly, wherein the ball striking assembly is adapted to strike the ball received and being held in the positioning hole.
 2. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the playing surface is one of a flat surface and a corrugated or a wavy surface.
 3. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball striking assembly comprises: a pull rod extending outwardly from each of the striking holes, the pull rod configured to be actuated by a player playing for one of the first play zone and the second play zone; a striking pole in communication the pull rod configured to receive the actuation force from the pull rod, wherein a distal end of the striking pole is configured to be pushed through the positioning holes and strike the ball; and a spring member operably connected between the pull rod and the striking pole, wherein the spring member is configured to reposition the striking pole below a surface of each of the positioning holes.
 4. The portable apparatus of claim 3, wherein the striking assembly further comprises a stopper member operably connected to the striking pole, wherein the stopper member is configured to limit the upward movement of the striking pole.
 5. The portable apparatus of claim 3, wherein the striking pole is configured to strike the ball from an under surface of the ball received and being held in each of the positioning holes which facilitate the striking pole to strike the ball.
 6. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the striking holes are positioned rearwardly to the positioning holes opposite the designated goal post.
 7. A method of striking a ball comprising: providing a portable apparatus comprising: a generally rectangular playing surface apportioned between a first play zone and a second play zone; at least two goal posts generally positioned at opposing ends of the playing surface, wherein a first goal post is designated to the first play zone and a second goal post is designated to the second play zone; a plurality of positioning holes configured in rows along the first play zone and the second play zone; a plurality of striking holes positioned adjacent to each positioning holes, wherein each striking hole is configured to house a ball striking assembly; throwing the ball onto the playing surface by a first player representing the first play zone; receiving and holding the ball in one of the positioning holes positioned in one of the first play zone and second play zone; striking the ball received and being held in the positioning hole by the first player towards the goal post of a second player representing the second playzone. 